Leafs make a statement as Canada’s best

The Toronto Maple Leafs came out of one of the most challenging buildings to play in with a full two points, as they defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 on Wednesday evening.

Toronto continues to ride their hot start on the road, now with a perfect 5-0-0 record to open the season.

The game opened up with some good chances for both teams, but the Maple Leafs seemed to carry the majority of the play and it payed off with over five minutes to play in the period when Kasperi Kapanen rifled one over the shoulder of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

It was only a matter of time for the Buds, as the Marleau, Matthews, Kapanen line was giving the Jets some trouble throughout the opening 20 minutes.

Toronto would hold onto the 1-0 lead after the first frame, and add to it 2:25 into the second, with Tyler Ennis getting the monkey off his back, scoring his first of the season, and first as a Maple Leaf.

Then over halfway through the middle period, Nazem Kadri broke free of his nine game goal drought to start the season, beating Hellebuyck short side to make it 3-0 Toronto.

Kadri looked relieved after he potted this goal, as he has scored back to back 32 goal seasons, and not getting one in his first nine contests this season appeared to be taking a toll on his game.

Toronto would keep the Jets at bay until 4:57 of the third period, when Nikolaj Ehlers would burry one past Frederik Andersen, registering his first tally in 26 games.

As a result, the momentum would swing into the Jets favour, and they would pot another one under two minutes later, with Mark Scheifele wristing one in the high slot.

It wasn’t looking good for Maple Leaf fans, who have seen these type of collapses time and time again over the past decade.

But it wouldn’t fall apart from there, as exactly two minutes later Mitch Marner would make a gorgeous move by out dressing Jets d-man Dustin Byfuglien, sliding a backhander off of the pad of Hellebuyck and right on the tape of John Tavares, who smacked home his seventh of the season to give the Buds some breathing room.

The Maple Leafs would hang on, and play a solid brand of defensive hockey to close out the game 4-2.

Revisit all of the game’s highlights below.

Up next the Maple Leafs will host the Jets in their own barn on Saturday, and aim to sweep the home and home between the two clubs.

Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm from Scotiabank Arena, and can be viewed on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

More news from the ice

The game was the first ever between two Canadian teams to be televised in the United States on NBC

With the loss, the Jets snapped their home point streak at 15 regular season games, a record of 14-0-1 (their first regulation loss at home since February 27, 2018)

The last time the Maple Leafs won five straight on the road was December 10-29, 2016

Jake Gardiner and Tyler Ennis will both skate in their 500th game of their career’s on Saturday